Automatic starter



July 6, 1937 K. R. BLAKE;

AUTOMATIC STARTER Original Filed Aug. 12, 1930 Patented July 6, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application August 12,

1930, Serial No. 474,860

Renewed September 21, 1936 10 Claims.

It is the object of my invention to produce an automatic starting device for internal combustion engines, such,.for example, as those used in automobiles. More specifically, it is my object to produce such a device which will start the engine when the ignition switch associated with the engine is closed, and which will restart the engine should it stop while the ignition switch remains closed. A further object of my invention is to produce such a device in which complete stopping of the engine is necessary before the restarting operation just mentioned can take place. A still further object of my invention is to provide an automatic starter which may be simply and economically constructed, and which will prove durable and efiicient in use.

In carrying out my invention I provide a relay arranged to be actuated when the ignition switch is closed to close the circuit of the electric startermotor of the engine. In addition to the winding which effects energization of the relay when the ignition switch is closed, the relay is provided with a second winding connected in parallel with the generator of the engine and arranged when supplied with current from. the generator to counteract the effect of the current in the first winding; thus producing de-energization of the relay when the current produced by the generator reaches or exceeds a predetermined minimum. In

addition, I provide a device associated with the engine and adapted to maintain the startermotor circuit open as long as the engine is runmng.

The accompanying drawing illustrates my invention, the single figure being a diagrammatic showing of a system embodying my invention.

My. invention is not concerned with any details of the engine, its associated starter-motor, or generator. The system illustrated in the drawing comprises the usual storage battery 10, one terminal of which is grounded. The customary ignition switch H is provided, this switch when closed serving to complete a circuit through the ignition coil I2 and distributor l3 to the sparkplugs I4 of the engine. This is an arrangement in common use, and its details are subject to variation.

The engine has associated with it a startermotor I5, adapted to be driven by current supplied from the battery I0, and a generator l6 which generates current for charging the battery I0 when the engine is running under its own power. The starter l5 indicated in the drawing is of the type which is rendered operative and connected to the engine by closing a circuit through which current may be supplied to it.

In embodying my invention in such a system, I provide a relay the core 26 of which is provided with two windings 2| and 22. An armature 23 is associated with the relay and is arranged to engage a stationary contact 24 when the relay is energized.

One end of the winding 2| of the relay is connected to the ungrounded pole of the battery it] through the ignition switch H, as is clear from the drawing; and the other end of the winding 2| is connected through the generator [6 to ground. One pole of the generator I6 is grounded. A lead from the ungrounded pole is branched, one branch leading through the winding 22 of the relay to ground and the other through the usual cut-out 25 to the ungrounded pole of the battery. A wire 26 connects the ungrounded pole of the battery to the armature 23, and the stationary contact 24 of the relay is connected to one pole of the motor [5, the other pole of which is grounded.

With the system described, the closing of the ignition switch ll places the ignition circuit of the engine in condition for engine operation. In addition, the closing of the ignition switch also completes the circuit from the ungrounded pole of the battery through the winding 2! of the relay and through the generator It to ground. The resultant energization of the relay causes the armature 23 to engage the stationary contact 24, thus completing a circuit from the battery 10 to the starter motor I5. The resultant supply of current to the starter motor I5 causes the engine to be cranked.

When the engine begins to run under its own power, the generator generates current, at least part of which flows through the winding 22 of the relay. The winding 22 is arranged in such a manner that the generator-supplied current passing through it creates a magnetic field opposing that created by the winding 2 l, and the resultant de-magnetization of the core 20 permits the armature 23 to be moved out of engagement with the contact 24 by the action of the usual relay spring 27. The separation of the armature 23 from the contact 24 opens the starter motor circult, and the starter motor thereupon ceases to function.

As long as the motor continues to operate at such a speed that the current supplied by the generator I6 is suflicient to maintain the relay deenergized, the starter motor l5 remains out of operation. Should the engine be accidentally stopped, however, the supply of current from the generator ceases, the relay becomes energized under the suppiy of current from the battery 10, and the starter-motor-circuit is again closed to render the starter motor operative.

The proportionate resistances of the two relaywindings 2! and 22 will depend upon the electrical characteristics of the devices with which the relay is associated. It will be noted that the winding is connected across the generator terminals in parallel with the circuit which includes the cut-out 25 and battery 5B. It therefore should have a comparatively high resistance.

I find that under certain circumstances the engine speed may drop to such an extent that the current supplied by the generator 16 is insufficient to overcome the effect of battery current in the relay-winding 2!, although the engine does not actually stop. To prevent action of the starter-motor under such circumstances, I provide a device which is controlled by the engine and which prevents the supply of current to the starter motor so long as the engine is operative.

This device may take the form of a lever which is pivoted at an intermediate point to the armature 23 of the control relay. One end of the lever 36, here shown as the right-hand end, is adapted to engage the end of the relay-core 20 when the lever is swung about its pivotal mounting on the armature 23. The other end of the lever is connected to a piston 3| in a cylinder 32, the cylinder being connected through a tube 33 to the intake manifold 34 of the engine. The vacuum which exists in the intake manifold of the engine whenever the engine is running tends to draw the piston 3i into the cylinder 32. This movement of the piston causes the lever 35 to be swung about its pivotal mounting in the armature to cause the free end of the lever to engage the end of the core 20. Under. these circumstances, the reaction at the fulcrum of the lever holds the armature 2-3 out of engagement with the contact 24, even if the current supplied to the relay-winding 22 is insufiicient to de-energiZe the relay. A spring 35 associated with the piston 3? tends to move it outwardly in the cylinder 32; so that should complete stoppage of the engine eliminate the vacuum in the intake manifold the spring 35 will force the piston 34 outwardly to cause the free end of the lever 33 to move out of engagement with the core 20, thus permitting the armature 23 to move into engagement with the contact 24 should the ignition switch be closed. I

I claim as my invention:

1. Engine starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, comprising in combination, a current source, a, starting motor, a switch for effecting the connection of said current source with the motor, automatic means for controlling the operation of said switch, said means including magnetic means for effecting operation of the switch, a generator, said magnetic means being subject to the difference in voltages of the current source and the generator, and means operated by engine suction for effecting operation of said switch.

2. Engine starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, comprising in combination, a current source, a starting motor, a switch for effecting the connection of said current source with the motor, automatic means for controlling the operation of said switch, said means including magnetic means for effecting closure of said switch, a generator, said magnetic means being subject to the difference in voltages of the current source and the generator whereby the switch is adapted to be opened when the generator voltage reaches a predetermined amount, and means operated by engine suction for opening said switch.

3. Engine starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, comprising in combination, a current source, a starting motor, a switch for offecting the connection of said current source with the motor, automatic means for controlling the operation of said switch, said means including magnetic means for effecting closure of said switch, a generator, said magnetic means being subject to the difference in voltages of the cur rent source and the generator whereby the switch is adapted to be opened when the generator voltage reaches a predetermined amount, and means operated by engine suction for preventing closure of the switch at all times when the engine is operating under its own power.

4. Engine starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, comprising in combination, a current source, a starting motor, aswitch for effecting connection of the current source with the motor, including a movable arm, automatic means for controlling the operation of said switch, said means including a magnet for closing the switch, and amember moved by engine suction to a position to prevent movement of said movable arm by the magnet if the magnet is energized during operation of the engine under its own power.

5. Engine starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, comprising in combination, a current source, a starting motor, a switch for effecting connection of the current source with the motor, including a movable arm, automatic means for controlling the operation of said switch, said means including a magnet for closing the switch, and a lever on said movable arm adapted to be moved by engine suction to a position to prevent movement of said movable arm to close said switch if the magnet is energized during operation of the engine under its own power.

6. Engine starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, comprising in combination, a current source, a starting motor, a switch for effecting connection of the current source with the motor, including a movable arm, automatic means for controlling the operation of said switch, said means including a magnet for closing the switch, and a lever on said movable .arm adapted to be moved by engine suction to move said movable arm to its open position, whereby the switch is opened when the engine begins to operate under its own power irrespective of the operation of said magnet.

'7. Engine starting apparatus for automotive vehicles, comprising in combination, a current source, a starting motor, a switch for effecting the connection of the current source and the motor, automatic means for controlling the operation of said switch, said means including a generator, and an electromagnet having a coil subject to the difference between the voltages of said source and said generator, and means operable by the engine for preventing actuation of the said automatic means during operation of the engine.

8. Engine starting apparatus for automotive vehicles, comprising in combination, a current source, a starting motor, a switch for effecting the connection of the current source and the motor, automatic means for controlling the operation of said switch, said means including a generator,

and an electromagnet having a coil subject to the diiierence between the voltages of said source and said generator, and means operated by engine suction for preventing actuation of the said automatic means during operation of the engine.

9. Engine starting apparatus for automotive vehicles, comprising in combination, a current source, a starting motor, a switch for effecting the connection of the current source and the motor, automatic means for controlling the operation of said switch, said means including a generator, and an electromagnet having a coil subject to the difference between the voltages of said source and said generator, an ignition switch adapted to render said switch effective when the ignition circuit is closed, and suction operated means preventing actuation of said first mentioned switch when the engine is running.

10. Engine starting apparatus for internal combustion engines, comprising in combination, a current source, a starting motor, a switch for effecting the connection of said current source with the motor comprising fixed and movable contacts, automatic means for controlling the operation of said switch, said means including magnetic means for closing the switch, a generator arranged to control the force exerted by said magnetic means to close the switch and adapted to reduce such force when the engine is running, so as to cause said switch to be opened, and means positively operated by engine suction and connected to said movable contact for opening the switch when the effect of the generator is insuiTicient to accomplish such result.

KENNETH R. BLAKE. 

